HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	621
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that as an island state, Hawaii has limited access to natural fresh water supplies.  Amid increasing population and development, sustainable access to fresh water is key to the State's future, and new and innovative options for water reclamation must be explored.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission, in conjunction with the department of business, economic development, and tourism, to promote photovoltaic powered desalinization on the island of Kaho‘olawe and to study the benefits of the technology's use.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission, in conjunction with the department of business, economic development, and tourism, shall implement a photovoltaic powered desalinization pilot project that shall:

     (1)  Promote the use of photovoltaic powered desalinization on the island of Kaho‘olawe; and

     (2)  Study the following aspects of the technology's use:

         (A)  Efficiency and cost-saving opportunities;

         (B)  Conservation, sustainable-development, and water-security benefits; and

         (C)  Potential for technological development and future statewide implementation.

     (b)  The pilot project shall commence on July 1, 2017, and shall terminate on June 30, 2020.

     (c)  The Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission, in conjunction with the department of business, economic development, and tourism, shall submit an annual report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session beginning with the regular session of 2018 and ending with the regular session of 2020.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the purposes of establishing and implementing a three-year photovoltaic powered desalinization pilot project.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Desalinization; Photovoltaic Energy; Kaho‘olawe; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a three-year pilot project to promote photovoltaic powered desalinization on the island of Kaho‘olawe and to study certain aspects of the technology's use.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.